Grace Eunice (Black) Holcombe

Grace Eunice (Black) Holcombe, 87, of O'Fallon, Missouri, went home to join her beloved husband Ben with their Savior in Heaven on March 4, 2023. Grace was born on September 13, 1935, in South Bend, Indiana, to Lorne and Hazel Black and grew up in Indianapolis, the fourth of five children, with four beloved brothers. She excelled as a student at Arsenal Technical High School-then the largest high school in Indiana with more than 5000 students-where she graduated in 1953 as class valedictorian and editor of the school newspaper. She attended Wheaton College (Illinois) where she earned a BA in Elementary Education, graduating in 1957. At Wheaton Grace met her husband of 62 years, Ben Holcombe, whom she married shortly before her graduation.

After giving birth to her daughter Beth in Columbia, South Carolina, while Ben was in the Army, Grace and Ben moved back to Indianapolis where they had their son Glenn and daughter Beverly. Grace poured her energy and love into rearing her children, moving to St. Louis in 1970. When her children were older, Grace went back to school to earn her certification in Library Science-which opened the door to a 24-year career as an elementary school librarian, most of it with the Fort Zumwalt School District. She was a model of patience and love as she introduced children to the joy of reading and literature.

Following her retirement in 1997, Grace and Ben relocated to Encinitas, California, near their youngest daughter's family, where Grace embraced daily contact with her grandchildren who lived next door. She and Ben moved back to St. Louis to live with their eldest daughter in 2014, where this time Grace had both grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy.

Grace was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, bringing a rare warmth and good humor to each of these roles. She was fiercely proud of her progeny, and her love and care were returned by all who had the privilege to call her Mom or Grandma. She was also a kind and faithful friend to many, and a beloved sister and aunt to a fortunate few. More than anything else Grace loved Jesus and was a faithful follower of Christ throughout her life-leaving a rich legacy of faith with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom are deeply grateful.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband Ben, and her brothers Theodore, Kenneth, and John Black, and is survived by her brother, Phil (Donna) Black of Sunset Hills, Missouri, daughter Beth (Bob) Varwig of O'Fallon, Missouri, son Glenn (Elizabeth) Holcombe of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and daughter Beverly (Clark) Gilbert of Encinitas, California, her twelve grandchildren, Norm Holcombe, Amy Holcombe, Taylor Gilbert, Laura Witty, Rob Varwig, Randall Holcombe, Kyle McKenzie Taylor, Scott Varwig, Suzanne Meyers, Julie Harms, Bradford Holcombe, and David Varwig, her nine great-grandchildren, and her many loving nieces and nephews.

Following a family graveside burial service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in the morning, a visitation/gathering will be held on Friday, March 10, at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grace Community Chapel at 7661 Mexico Road, St. Peters, Missouri, with a Memorial Service at 1:00 PM.